Eagle Ridge Subdivision, Inc. and Leonard H. Slodov have faced a legal setback in their ongoing battle against Ott & Associates Co., LPA, as the Court of Appeals of Ohio upheld a previous judgment dismissing their complaint for legal malpractice. The appeal was filed by Leonard H. Slodov, pro se, on behalf of himself and Eagle Ridge Subdivision Property Owner’s Association, against Ott & Associates Co., LPA in the Cleveland Municipal Court on January 29, 2026.
The case revolves around allegations made by Slodov that Ott & Associates committed legal malpractice during their tenure as legal counsel for Eagle Ridge Subdivision Property Owner’s Association. According to the court documents, Slodov claimed that Ott & Associates failed to mediate disputes within the association and improperly initiated collection actions against him. These actions included filing a lien on his home and pursuing foreclosure proceedings in Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, which he argued were retaliatory and harassing.
Slodov’s journey through the courts began when he filed complaints seeking to remove liens from his property and for monetary damages against both Eagle Ridge and individual board members who allegedly ousted him from his position on the board in violation of association bylaws. However, these complaints were dismissed by both Geauga County Court of Common Pleas and Chardon Municipal Court due to collateral estoppel—a doctrine preventing re-litigation of issues already judged.
In June 2024, Slodov pursued a new avenue by filing a legal malpractice claim against Ott & Associates in Cleveland Municipal Court. He alleged that the firm failed to call necessary meetings or listen to testimonies regarding his removal from the board, thereby breaching their duty as legal advisors. Despite these claims, a magistrate found that Slodov lacked authority to represent Eagle Ridge since he is not an attorney. Furthermore, there was no evidence supporting an attorney-client relationship between Slodov personally and Ott & Associates.
Ultimately, the trial court dismissed all claims after determining that neither Slodov nor Eagle Ridge had substantiated their allegations with sufficient evidence. The appellate court concurred with this decision, affirming that res judicata did not apply because prior judgments were not final orders resolving all claims involved.
The plaintiffs sought relief including injunctions against liens on properties and monetary compensation for alleged damages incurred due to perceived misconduct by Ott & Associates. However, without proving key elements such as breach of duty or causation of damages stemming from any attorney-client relationship specifically involving Slodov himself rather than just Eagle Ridge collectively—these requests went unfulfilled.
Representing himself throughout these proceedings was Leonard H. Slodov while Eileen T. Gallagher served as judge alongside Michelle J. Sheehan (A.J.) and Mary J. Boyle (J.). The case identification number is 114907 within Ohio’s Eighth Appellate District located in Cuyahoga County.
Source: 2026Ohio256_Eagle_Ridge_Subdivision_Inc_v_OTT_and_Associates_Co_Opinion_Ohio_Court_of_Appeals.pdf